Officials advise reconsidering travel with powerful winter storm headed this way

Officials and road crews are preparing for a powerful winter storm that will move through the region.

A powerful winter storm is moving through the region, bringing heavy snowfall, whiteout conditions, and travel disruptions. The storm is expected to dump up to 30 centimetres of snow by Thursday morning, with peak snowfall rates possibly exceeding five centimetres per hour.

“People are starting to run out of snow storage space, which is one of the biggest challenges, which is they don’t have anywhere to pile their snow,” said Dave Friary, City of Barrie director of operations.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel due to rapidly accumulating snow that will make roads treacherous.

“This winter storm will impact the evening commute,” the weather agency stated matter-of-factly.

“It’s not going to be a slow ease to it, once the snow starts it’s going to be heavy,” said David Phillips, Environment Canada senior climatologist.

City crews are prepared to hit the roads at a moment’s notice.

“It’s just all hands on deck, and we’re just going to continue to monitor the storm,” added Friary.

Visibility is expected to be near zero at times due to heavy snow and blowing winds. The worst conditions will hit Wednesday night before gradually easing Thursday morning.

Police Urge Caution on the Roads

With road conditions expected to deteriorate quickly, OPP is advising drivers to reconsider their travel plans. Authorities urge residents to postpone non-essential trips until Thursday afternoon, allowing plows to clear the roads.

For those who must drive, police recommend:

• Ensuring vehicles are fully fueled and equipped with emergency kits, including food, blankets, and extra phone batteries.
• Clearing all snow from vehicles, including headlights and taillights, before driving.
• Slowing down and increasing following distances to account for slick roads.
• Keeping headlights on at all times to improve visibility.

Drivers are reminded not to call 911 for road condition updates.

Emergency Preparedness

Public Safety Canada is encouraging residents to prepare for the storm by assembling emergency kits with essential supplies, including drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit, and a flashlight. More information on emergency preparedness can be found online.

As snow continues to pile up, municipal and provincial officials stress that safety should be the top priority. Those who can stay home are urged to do so, while drivers who must be on the road should proceed with extreme caution.

Municipal Closures

Officials across the region are taking pre-emptive action with the impending wicked weather.

Springwater Township announced that its administration centre would be closed Thursday due to the storm. Township staff will work remotely where possible, and residents needing assistance can find contact information online. The Elmvale Arena will also be closed for the morning, cancelling all scheduled public skating.

Innisfil Town Hall will be closed for in-person services on Thursday as a precaution. However, town staff will also continue assisting residents remotely. The town’s winter maintenance crews and emergency services remain fully operational.

All other closures can be found on municipal social media pages or websites.

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